Self-centering spindle.



EATENTEE sEET.29,19os..

s. E. CARPENTER. sELE GENTEEING SPINDLE.

APPLICATION I'ILED FEB. 7. 1903.

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hun .m Wi a C. m, ,u m D Patented September 29, 1903.

YPATENT OFFICE.-

SAMUEL F. CARPENTER, OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND.

SELF-CENTERYNG SPINDLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent NO. 740,354, dated September 29, 1903.

Application filed February 7, 1903. Serial No. 142,390. (No model.)

My invention consists, first, in a bolsterl mounted upon a collar in the upper part of the bolster-case; second, in a tapering step whose smaller end rests upon the bottom of the bolster-case and its larger end in contact with the circular bore of the same, and, third, in a locking device for the bolster and a locking device for the step whereby each isl restrained from rotation, while otherwise there is liberty of movement necessary for` the per fect operation of the spindle. K

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a view, partly in section and partly in eleva-- tion, of a spindle as embodying my improve` ments. Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the bolster which forms a part of my improvements.

Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the step-support for the spindle. Fig. 4 is a cross-section as seen in line X X of Fig. 1.

Like letters indicate like parts.

A is a bolster-case interiorly of a larger di-` ameter from the shoulder f upward. The bolster-case A is provided with locking-pins a and a', whose purpose is obvious.

B is a step-support for the spindle C, whose pintle occupies a socket in the top of the step B. The step B isV in the shape of a frustum the perimeter of its upper end. The cavity in the upper part of the step B has a larger diameter than the pintle o of the spindle, or

preferably the cavity may be made tapering, as shown in Fig. 1. In either instance the step B will have freedom to move when acted upon by theI spindle. J

In the operation of the resistance at b, on which account the ac- Vwidth of said channel.

n theV spindle() the step B is acted upon as alever of the third class, the power being at c, the fulcrum at d, andv tion of the spindle C upon the step B being at mechanical disadvantage insures against extreme sensitiveness of the spindle to varying conditions attending its operation, while it has sufficient freedom of foot movement for any adjustment necessary to its perfect operation.

D is a bolster mounted within the bolster case A upon a coilar e, which rests upon the shoulder f of the bolster-case interior. A cross-sectional view of the collar e is shown in Fig. 4, e' being a slot in the same to permit the collar to pass the locking-pin a when being placed in the bolster-case upon the shoulderf. The collar c has an interior diameter sufficient for the spindle to pass through without contact therewith. The bolster D is adapted to tip when acted upon by the spindle C, its lower end having liberty of lateral movement upon the collar e. For this purpose the bolster has a convex annular enlargement near its upper end which is in contact with the bore of the bolster-case, and the portion of the bolster which is below said enlargement is of a diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the bolster-case, so that the bolster is capable of anv oscillating movement. 'The bolster D andthe step B are mechanically Adistinct and independent in their operation, while both contribute, each in its way, to the Vperfect operation of the spindle.

The bolster D and the step B are provided with my improved locking device.

In locking devices heretofore in use the locking-pin has engaged the bolster or the step lin a narrow and shallow channel, which device, while it restrains from rotation, is liab le otherwise to inj uriously restrict the movement of the bolster or of the step.

`In my device the locking-channel g or g terminates in a circularcavity or ward h or 71.', deeper and of a diametergreater than the In my invention the locking-slot of previous devices is made into an entering channel or guide which leads to the locking-ward h or h', in which the locking-pin a or a' can have contact with the bolster A or the step B at the place only where it restrains from rotation. Consequently it then rest upon the shoulderf directly and be laterally movable thereon.

Having described my improvements, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is;

l. In a spindle-support, the combination With a spindle, a bolster-case, a bolster and means for restraining the same from rotation; of a frustum-of-a-cone-shaped step resting upon the bot-tom of the bolster-case, the top of said step at its periphery adapted to engage the interior Wall of the bolster-case and constituting a fulcrum upon which the step is moved laterally at its lower end to enable the spindle to overcome the tendency to gyration under an unbalanced load, substantially as set forth.

2. In a spindle-support, the combination of a spindle-having a conical pintle, a bolstercase having a circular transverse shoulder in the bore thereof, acollar loosely surrounding the spindle and resting on said shoulder, atubular bolster having an enlarged portion adapted to contact with the bore of the bolstercase and its lower end resting on said collar, means to restrain said bolster from rotation, a step in the shape of a frustum of a cone having its larger upper end in contact With the bore of the bolster-case and provided With a conical socket in its said upper end of a diameter exceeding the diameter of the pintle of said spindle, and means-to restrain said step from rotation While not otherwise restricting its motion, substantially as set forth.

3. In a spindle-support, in combination with a spindle, a bolster-case, a bolster, a step and a locking-pin; of a locking-Ward consisting of a longitudinal channel in said bolster, terminating in an'enlarged cavity adapted to receive said locking-pin and to restrain said bolster from rotation, While not other- Wise restricting its motion, substantially as set forth.

4. In a spindle support, in combination with a spindle, a bolster-case, a bolster, a step and a locking-pin; of a locking-Ward consisting of a longitudinal channel in said step terminating in an enlarged cavity adapted to receive said locking-pin and to restrain the 'step from rotation, While not otherwise rea spindle, va bolster-case, a tubular bolster having an enlarged portion adapted tocontact with the bore of the bolster-case but having the portion below the enlargement'of a diameter less than that of the bore of the bolster-case and provided with a longitudinal channel on one side thereof terminating in a round opening of a diameter exceeding the width of said channel, and a locking-pin extending through the side of the bolster-case and adapted to enter said channel and engage with said opening of the bolster, substantially as specified.

6. In a spindle-support, the combination of a spindle, a bolster-case, a bolster, a step-in the shape of the frustum of a cone'having a plane'lower end and supported by and movable laterally on the straight bottom of the bore of the bolster-case and its upper end in contact with said bore and provided with a longitudinal channel on one side thereof terminating in a round opening of a diameter exceeding the Width of said channel, and a locking-pin extending through the side of the bolster-case and adapted to enter said channel and to engage With said opening of the step, substantially Vas specied.

7. In a spindle-support, the combination of a spindle having a conical pintle, a bolstercase, a bolster, a step in the shape of the frustum of a cone having its larger upper end in contact with the bore of the bolstercase and provided with a conical socket in its said upper end of a diameter exceeding the diameter of said pintle, and means for locking said step from rotation Without preventing its motion otherwise, substantially as described.

8. In a spindle-support, the combination of a spindle having a pintle, a bolster-case, a tubular bolster having an enlarged portion adapted to contact with the bore of the bolster-case but having the portion below the en- IOO largement of' a diameter less than that of the bore of the bolster-case and provided with a longitudinal channel on one side thereof terminating in a round opening of a diameter exceeding the Width of said channel, a locking-pin extending through the side of the bol-- ster-case and adapted to engage with said opening of the bolster, a step in the shape of the frustum of a cone having a plane lower end and supported by and movable laterally on the straight bottom of the bore of the bolster-case and its upper end in contact With said bore and provided with a longitudinal channel on one side thereof terminating in a round opening of a diameter exceeding the Width of said channel, and a locking-pin extending through the side of the bolster-case and adapted to enter said channel and to engage with said opening of the step, substanv tially as specified.

IIO

9. In a spindle-support, the combination of of a diameter less than that of said bore, suba spindle, a bolster-case, a bolster having an stantially as described. enlargement at or near the top thereof which In testimony whereof I affix my signature is in contact with the bore of the bolster-oase inpresence of two Witnesses. but whose lower portion has a diameter less 1 SAMUEL F. CARPENTER. than that of said bore, a step adapted to snp- Witnesses: port said spindle and having its upper end in DANIEL E. LOCKE, contact with said bore but its lower portion BOWEN P. RYDER. 

